Castlefield Viaduct transformed into 'sky park' and set to open next month

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Manchester’s new skyline park has taken a major step forward today — with its first plants being bedded in. The Castlefield Viaduct project is set to open next month.

Initially set to open on July 3, yesterday bosses confirmed that ‘unexpected delays’ meant the park would now open no later than the end of next month. However, work is still continuing at pace on the 330m former railway viaduct.

Now, just over three months on from the M.E.N.’s first visit to the site, plants are being bedded in ahead of waves of visitors. Tickets are free to the project, but limited in number due to weight restrictions on the Victorian structure, which was built by Heenan & Froude — the same firm that constructed the Blackpool Tower.

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Despite the setbacks, National Trust officials are still excited about the grand unveiling in the summer. “This is not about us taking it over, but it is about working with them to do something important for the residents — that’s to provide nature and green space on their doorstep,” Sophie Wardell, programme manager, said.

“Where the National Trust works well is projects that bring both beauty, health, and nature together. This project does that really well. We’re really keen to get people up here.”

Visitors will first be welcomed at the start of their 45-minute guided visit of the garden in an area which will shield their view of its iron trusses. From there, guests will be able to see the planting and information boards ‘in context’ of how the viaduct was originally, Sophie added.

The middle section of the garden will feature guest projects from local residents, who have curated a section of